Adjustable switch.



, Patented ocpza. 1902. w. H. BABBE, E. w. HARDYENVGL'I m 1;. DEMPSEY.

ADJlLSTABLE SWITCH.

(Application filed Oct. 11, 1901.;

(No Ilo'del.)

S HOP S S R A UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

WILLIAM H. RABBE, EDW'ARD WlI-IARDEN, AND MICHAEL E. DEMPSEY, OF HAMILTON, OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO THE AMERICAN FROG dz SWITCH COM- PANY, OF HAMILTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

ADJUSTABLE. SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 712,092, dated October 28, 1902. I Application filed October 11, 1901. Serial No. 78,368. (No model.)

be eifected, the wear upon the stationary rails I 5 may be compensated for, or other desired side adjustment of the movable switch-rail obtained in an effective and simple manner. and a substantial construction obtained capable of effectually resisting the great strains to which a device of this character is subjected.

Our invention consists in the parts and in the construction, arrangement, and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figurel is a plan view of our improved device shown as applied to a railroad. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of our improved device shown as applied to one side of the tracks with the stationary and movable rails in cross-section on the line m as of Fig. l. the stationary rail omitted. Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the hood-bracket, and Fig. 5 is a detail of the hood-bracket in cross-section 5 on the line y y of Fig. 2.

The stationary rails are shown at A and B, while 0 and D represent the movable splitswitch rails, which latter are adapted to slide upon friction-plates E. When the switch is 0 thrown so that the wheels of a car passing thereover will follow the rails A and D, being the position indicated in Fig. 1. of the drawings, the wheel-flanges will take against the faces a and d, and when the switch is thrown oppositely, so that the wheels will follow the rails B and C, the wheel-flanges will take against the faces I) and c, causing wear upon those faces.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same with When the face a or b has become worn, its neighboring split-switch rail-will fail to make proper contact with it.

Either face a or b may wear more quickly than the other, depending on the amount of work to which it is subjected. We have provided novel means which we will now describe for progressively compensating for this wear or providing for other side adjustment of the movable rail that may be desirable.

F is a switch-bar which may be connected with the connecting-link extending from the 6o switch-stand in any ordinary manner.

G is a hood-bracket which is adapted to be rigidly secured to a split-switch rail. It extends inwardly from the split-switch rail and takes overandstraddlestheswitch-bar. Ithas depending sides 9 g, extending lengthwise of the sides of the switch-bar. These depending sides are each provided with a series of holes 9, coinciding in position with each other and spaced a given distance apart, which we have shown consecutively numbered from -1 to 6. The switch-bar is also provided with a series of holes f, also shown as numbered from 1 to. 6, spaced diiferently from the holes g. Thus the holes g may be one-eighth inch apart, and the holes f may be one-fourth inch apart. A securing-boltH takesthrough a selected hole of each series, which are caused to register, forfirmly securing the hoodbracket and switch bar together. manner the normal position of the hoodbracket, and consequently the split-switch rail, with relation to the switch-bar is determined. Thus in the drawings the securingbolt is shown taking through the first holes of the series. When the side impact-face of the stationary rail has become sufliciently worn to make it advisable to take up wear, the securing-bolt is removed from the holes 1 and the holes 2 or other advancing number 0 of the series of holes caused to register by moving the hood-bracket longitudinally of the switch-bar, thus shifting the split-switch rail toward its neighboring stationary rail and compensating for the wear'ot the latter, 9 5 the securing-bolt being then placed through In this So the holes that are thus caused to register and the parts firmly secured together. Each split-switch rail may be provided with our improved adjustable connection, so that each split-switch rail may be adjusted independently with relation to the switch-bar and preferably without aifecting the throw of the switch-bar.

The hood-bracket G is thoroughly braced throughout and forms an exceptionally strong and durable connection for withstanding the heavy strains to which it is subjected in practice. It has, as stated, depending sides g, which extend lengthwise and preferably fit closely against the sides of the switch-bar, thereby bracing the bar at that point and forming a saddle 9 It has an upturned and sidewardly-extending end g through which it is secured to the switch-rail. A flaring web 9 pressed or cored upwardly, as at g, thereby forming a ridge, connects the saddle and upturned end and formsa continuous connection between the side, web, and upturned sideward extension at one side of the hoodbracket with' the depending side, web, and upturned sideward extension at the other side of the hood-bracket, forming an arch which continues from the upward extension g rearwardly, connecting the depending sides g. As seen in Figs. 2 and 5, the webs g are bent downwardly and sidewardly substantially throughout the height of the sides, forming an angle between them and the sides. lhis construction braces the hood-bracket in all the directions of strain.

If it is desired for the sake of safeguard or otherwise, the split-switch rails may be interconnected by one or more additional devices of the character described, in which latter, however, the switch-bar is not connected with the switch-stand, but may serve the function of a connecting-bar between the split-switch rails.

We claim 1. In an adjustable switch, the combination with a switch-rail and a switch-bar, of a bracket connected to the switch-bar and having an upwardly-inclined web provided with an upturned portion, connected to the switch rail, said web having an upwardly pressed or struck arch extending along the Web and completely across the bend connecting said web to the body of the bracket, whereby the bend of the upwardlydnclined web is reinforced or strengthened.

2. In an adjustable switch, the combination with a switch-rail and a switch-bar having lateral perforations, of a bracket of saddle form straddling the switch-bar and provided with lateral perforations difierently spaced from the perforations in the switchbar, a bolt passing through the perforations in the sides of the saddle and the switch-bar, said bracket having an upwardly-inclined web provided with an upturned portion connected to the switch-rail, said web having an upwardly pressed or struck arch extending along the web and completely across the bend connecting said web to the body of the bracket, whereby the bracket can be adjusted on the switch-bar, and the bend of the upwardly-inclined web is reinforced or strengthened.

In witness whereof we have signed our names hereto in the presence of two subscribingwitnesses.

WILLIAM 1 1. RABBE. EDWARD W. IIARDEN. MICHAEL E. DEMPSEY.

Witnesses:

E. S. GRIFFIS, GEO. ASHTON. 

